Karyology of Plants Growing on Serpentines in Bulgaria

Abstract

The karyotypes of species from genera Aethionema, Thlaspi, Arenaria, Petrorhagia and Silene growing on serpentines in Bulgaria are studied. The chromosome numbers and the karyotype morphology of the serpentine plants are illustrated and compared with data of previously investigated populations of these species growing on non-serpentine terrains. The chromosome number for the newly described species Aethionema rhodopaeum is presented from the second subpopulation. Chromosome data for the species Thlaspi apterum are provided for the first time. First records based on Bulgarian material are given for the following species: Thlaspi ochroleuicum, Arenaria procera ssp. procera, Silene fabarioides, and Silene spergulifolia.

Key words:

• Bulgaria
• chromosome numbers
• karyology
• serpentine